The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1887-10-26

was on the steamer that we made DIR.
Kane's acquaintance. He was young
man, but already had gained some rep
utation.
He had become convinced that he
had much yet to learn, so had thrown
up q lucrative practice, to walk the
Paris hospitals year, or perhaps two.
My strange case at once Interested
him. He asked questions until he
knew as much about the matter as |
did
He examined the black growth closely,
and eventually owned himself puzzled,
as had many famous men before him.
l liked him immensely, and, in my
merry unconcern, turned much OF his
questioning into ridicule
Soon after our arrival in Paris great
medical convention took place, and one
day DIR. Kane came for me.
Only few of the celebrities had ever
heard of anything similar, and were
unanimous in the opinion that there
was no cure. must so piebald all my
life.
We returned home, and father sold
his possessions in Charleston. We hid
ourselves in pretty New York sub
urb.
DIR. Kane returned year later, and
our curious friendship was renewed.
He was very kind TO me, was often
at our house, rode. drove, and walked
with me, spending as much time as he
could spare from professional and other
duties.
lie was always studying over my case,
and tried many experiments, oil to no
purpose.
l took a good deal of quiet comfort
that summer. l was not happy.
God help me, l never could be happy
again, for loved harry Kane.
Sometimes L thought he cared for
me, but that was when we were riding
or driving, and was closely Yelled
when he could not see my very hideous
face.
Along in the fall he was called away,
and would be absent some months.
Soon after his departure first became
conscious, by physical sensations, that
the blackness was disease.
A singing, burning sensation began
wherever there was spot of color. l
suffered tortures.
Every cooling, soothing lotion mag
Unable was resorted to, advice was pro-
cured, but naught availed to allay my
suffering.
1t lasted months For many nights
l never slept, and at length brain and
nerve gave way, and L died.
Strange assertion to make, you say.
Yes, | d ed, or the people thought L
did. But every sense remained acutely
alert-save feeling and breathing.
l knew my body grew rigid, and cold
as ice. knew when / was arrayed for
the grave and placed in my casket l
knew the peril was in; that of being
buried alive; but the rest from that
agonized suffering was so exquisite that
all else seemed of little moment.
heard. as one hears from affair, the
voice of man of God speaking words
of comfort to my sorrowing frie DIS. /
heard the solemn dust to dust" rattle
upon my colin, then sank to total
Inconsistencies, as one sinks to sweet
sleep.
Ny next sensation was cold, awful,
deathly cold, and feeling of numb
ness. L could not stir, or open my
eyes, but feeling had returned to my
whole body.
Every part of it tingled and ached,
and my hands and feet felt like blocks
of ice.
Presently l felt hands grasp me and
extend me on what seemed board.
Loud ordinations in different voices
reached M dulled ears; then a dead
silence followed.
1t was broken by voice that-ah,
God had power to call me from the
dead.
What is the matter, gentlemen 2" it
asked, and footsteps approached me
and paused beside me.
Good God! Estner"
Oh, how / struggled to break the in
visible bonds that held me.
Esther, Esther Oh, my God!
Dead. dead - the dear voice moaned.
and he passed caressing hand over
my poor notified face.
AS it fingered against my lips kissed
it lightly, inyoluntarily.
4 great cry escaped him, and he
bent closely over me. | felt his breath
upon nv face. His lips touched mine.
Then ! lived.
Had it been really death, instead of
trance, / must have come to life then.
He loved mel
| opened my eyes, gave ole quick
glance about, then cried out in terror.
Around stood many strange men, al
watching and listening intent'y. The